Indian Railways to SpaceX: Sanjeev Sharma’s Inspiring Journey

As future engineers, have you ever worried about making significant changes in your career? Do you fear feeling stuck in a role, indecisive about the next move, or making a fresh start?
Another factor that gives an extra boost to your resume after an internship is the global exposure during the experience. Hence, we have compiled all necessary information regarding international internships for B.Tech students in India. Read on to learn about the best cities for internships in 2024 and more.If so, you should know the story of Sajeev Sharma, who broke free from a secure government job with Indian Railways to reinvent himself and finally participate in a milestone in the history of space exploration. Here, we recount Sanjeev Sharma's impressive career journey from Indian Railways to SpaceX for aspiring engineers.

Sanjeev Sharma’s Beginning at Indian Railways

Sanjeev Sharma’s extraordinary story from Indian railways to SpaceX started after he graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee. After completing the degree, he began working with Indian Railways. Sanjeev spent the first four years as a divisional mechanical engineer in the organization. In 1994, he got promoted as the Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer. Thus, the first 11 years of Sanjeev’s career opportunities were dedicated to Indian Railways.

Tracks to Space

Sanjeev’s ambitions for a career in technology did not end with Indian Railways. His wishes to broaden his professional life internationally took him to theHe completed the degree in 2003 and joined as a staff mechanical engineer at the American data storage company Seagate. Even while working with Seagate, Sanjeev continued his pursuit of knowledge by gaining a second MS degree in Management of Technology from the public research university, University of Minnesota, in 2008.
University of Colorado Boulder, where he pursued a Master of Science (MS) in Mechanical Engineering in 2002.
He completed the degree in 2003 and joined as a staff mechanical engineer at the American data storage company Seagate. Even while working with Seagate, Sanjeev continued his pursuit of knowledge by gaining a second MS degree in Management of Technology from the public research university, University of Minnesota, in 2008.
The same year, Sanjeev was promoted to Senior Mechanical Engineer at Seagate. Thus, in the journey from Indian railways to SpaceX, he spent the next five years in this role, gaining expertise in cutting-edge technologies.

Sanjeev’s Early Contributions to SpaceX

In 2013, Sanjeev Sharma took a monumental leap in his career by joining Elon Musk’s SpaceX. At the American Space Company, Sanjeev Sharma supervised the initiatives in structural dynamics as a Dynamics Engineer. For this, he collaborated with the teams such as thermal, aerodynamics, propulsion, and GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control).
Sanjeev also started making his indispensable contributions to the efforts for Falcon 9 rocket boosters’ recovery and reusability features during the time. Falcon 9 by SpaceX is the first reusable rocket in orbital class in the world and hence a milestone in space exploration. The reusability of Falcon 9 rocket boosters reduced the cost of space exploration for SpaceX considerably. This lets the space company refly even the most expensive rocket parts.

An Interim Shift in the Journey from Indian Railways to SpaceX

Sanjeev Sharma joined Manttenet Inc., a leading developer of delivery systems for commercial drones in urban and suburban environments, in 2018. Sanjeev began his work life thereby leading the vehicle engineering wing. Later, for over two years, the company’s technology section received his guidance.

Back to SpaceX and Rise to Fame

2022 was the culmination of Sanjeev Sharma’s journey from Indian Railways to SpaceX as he returned to the company as a principal engineer. On October 13th, 2024, SpaceX made headlines when Mechazilla, a pair of 400-foot rocket- catching robotic arms at its Starbase, caught the giant Starship booster in midair to prevent it from falling into the ocean.
The feat took SpaceX closer to its objective of creating a fully and rapidly reusable rocket system. The world noticed Sanjeev Sharma’s contributions to the achievement and applauded it immensely.

Indian Railways to SpaceX: A Lesson For Aspiring Engineers

We conclude with the major takeaway: how lifelong learning takes one to incredible heights. It is Sanjeev’s commitment to broadening the horizons of his skills and knowledge that secured him a place in one of the most remarkable milestones in the history of space exploration.
Aspiring engineers should exhibit adaptability and a growth mindset even after settling into a job. It is these qualities that would help you thrive in your career in the contemporary, fast-paced job market. We hope Sanjeev Sharma’s story will inspire you to stay ahead in this evolving world by being curious students.